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Behind Bertelsmann Turmoil:
Rise to Power of Heir's Wife

Ms. Mohn Has Played Role
In Ouster of 3 Executives;
Her Children Move Up, Too

By

Matthew KarnitschnigStaff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Updated Dec. 1, 2003 12:01 a.m. ET

GUETERSLOH, Germany -- One evening in 1958, Elisabeth Beckmann met her boss at a company party. She was a 17-year-old secretary who had worked at Bertelsmann AG for only six weeks. He was Reinhard Mohn, 37, the dashing head of his family's book-publishing business.

Mr. Mohn, the married father of three children, asked the teenager to dance a waltz, according to "Love Opens Hearts," an autobiography she published in 2001. They were the last remaining players in a game of musical chairs that Mr. Mohn ended up winning....